Just got my Xfire yesterday, ended up 50 miles from home in an unexpected snow storm - holy crap this car is awesome even in the snow - I thought it would respond like the last 2 seater I had (MR2) and boy was I wrong.

 

Yes, it does quite well in the snow. Just as with any car... slow and safe.

It did quite well on the way back from my holiday trip when we passed through Flagstaff. We got up in the morning to 2 fresh inches of snow and the roads had not been plowed much, so it was an experience.

Gotta love the ESP/Traction Control in that stuff!

 

A lot of what you say is based on the tires your running... Those of us with PS2 or "summer only" tires would disagree with you.

 

To be honest - I didn't even look at the darn tires! Just realized my headlamps are full of condensation and the driver's bottom bolster heater is not heating so taking it back to the dealer on Monday is the plan. Any recommendations or thoughts from anyone on deer repellent? Just upgraded (a lot) from a 2001 Sebring Coupe LXI which I nailed a deer with on my way home from work - deer, snow, ice - maybe I should have bought a tank?

 

Don't worry the Crossfire will work on the deer just like your sebring!

Pat

 

You can get those 'ultrasonic' deer repellers and put them on the front of the car. I have heard that they work quite well.

As to the tires, I had purchased Pilot Sport All Season tires before my trip even though I had ContiTouring tires on there and I think they were All Season too.

PS2s or any other summer/rain tire with no appreciable snow traction would just ruin your day in the snow. Put it in park, call a cab and wait.

 

Thanks to you both! Getting the deer deals today - I do have all seasons on her - expecting another 3-5 inches this weekend of snow - think I'll drive the "beater" instead - that way if I wipe out I am not slitting my wrists!

Hey - anyone know why my feet never get warm in this car - is there no vent at your feet or am I missing something here too - just trying to get an inventory as the driver's seat won't heat, headlights have condensation inside and the lights on the hatch won't go on - warranty work at it's best.

Michelle

 

I'm glad to hear about the snow handling - hopefully I won't have to deal with that today when I purchase mine...I have about a 6 hr window to go 120 miles, get the car, sign papers and get back before the next snow fall...wish me luck!

 

Michelle,

Condensation in the headlights is definitely warranty work.

Lights on the hatch are for your license plate. The cargo are lamp is inside on the drivers side. To verify this turn your headlights on, THEN open the hatch.

As to your feet getting cold, I seem to get a little of this too, but it's because the vent is located in the center console, just under the dash. You will have to select vent and floor (turn the right dial to the 6 o'clock position)to maximize heating in your footwell. I've also tried to get the upper, front and lower vent setting (turn the right dial to the 3 o'clock position) this does help. When the system is in defrost (turn the right dial to the 12 o'clock position) it leaves the floor out of the equation.

Hope that helps. Cheers!

 

MMZ - thanks - I guess I need to be smarter than the instruments (good luck).

Troy - just take her slow and you should be OK as long as you have all seasons on it (based on what everyone else is telling me.).

What a fabulous tool talking to you all - thanks a bunch. I am just so impressed with this vehicle (and this web site) - my brother just emailed me pix of his wrecked Nissan Altima - he swore it was great in snow and ice - antilock failed this morning and he slid under a garbage truck. Keeping my fingers crossed that I don't run into issues until I can get her in the barn tonight!

Michelle

 

Michelle,

If you look at the controls for the heater/AC, there isn't a dedicated setting for floor. I set my control to dash/floor and close off the dash vents. It works fine that way. I looked and looked at that control and can't figure out why they wouldn't have a dedicated setting for floor only.

As to winter driving, this is my first winter in my XF and I use to drive a Sante Fe that had AWD. So far, knock on wood, snow hasn't been too awful south of Chicago. I'm driving on Conti's and I think they'd doing fine so far.

Enjoy!

adoni

 

Thanks Adoni!

 

I just went out this evening with the heat on and its about 35 degrees and windy outside, my feet were sweating after about 5 minutes. MMZ is right the best position is 6 o'clock with all your dash vents in the closed position. I've never had a heat issue, especially with the heated seats. I am noticing my driver's side seat heater isn't working.

Pat

 

I love my crossfire but have learnt not to bother trying to drive the thing in the snow. Last time it snowed I had 15 mins of hassle just getting off my drive. Half a mile later I picked up a colleague stopping in a cull-de-sac turnaround. Big mistake stuck for 20 mins and had to be pushed by 4 workmen to get moving. Returned home in disgust at crossfire snow handling. All in moderate snow with some compacted ice on M Pilot 2 tyres. So now you know use a sled and dogs when it snows.

 

www.sav-a-life.com/deeralert_intro.htm

For your interest.

 

Heated seats

I think you may find that the heated seats work on a0 A timer and then b0 Once the ambient temperature reaches something they switch off...

 

This thingy is $30 bucks. Way too expensive. A toyota showroom sells the same thing for $5 bucks.

 

Best rear-wheel drive car I have ever been in. Miata and Z were just undriveable in the snow.